After splitting two games at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim take the Freeway Series down Interstate 5 for the next two days.
Getting the start for the Dodgers is Mike Bolsinger, who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday. Bolsinger’s return meant Charlie Culberson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City to clear room on the Dodgers’ active roster.
Bolsinger posted a 2.25 ERA over eight innings pitched in a pair of rehab starts this month for Oklahoma City. He was somewhat of a pleasant surprise last season, going 6-6 with a 3.62 ERA, 3.91 FIP and 1.36 WHIP in 21 starts for the Dodgers.
Wednesday’s game is the first time Bolsinger faces the Angels in his career. Anaheim counters with young right-hander Nick Tropeano. In seven starts this season, Tropeano is 1-2 with a 3.68 ERA, 5.18 FIP and 1.64 WHIP to go along with 39 strikeouts and 20 walks in 36.2 innings pitched.
Tropeano faced the Dodgers last September, allowing three runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings. He didn’t earn a decision in a game the Angels lost. He faces a Dodgers lineup that has a trio of young stars — Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and Trayce Thompson — in it.
At least one of the three has hit a home run in the past three games. Pederson, Seager and Thompson have combined for seven home runs over that stretch. What’s more, Pederson, Seager and Thompson have each notched a multi-home run game over the three contests.
Adrian Gonzalez is out of the lineup for the second consecutive day as he continues to recover from lower back tightness. Howie Kendrick starts at first base again in his absence. Kendrick is batting .333 in five games against his former team.
Dodgers lineup:
2B: Chase Utley
3B: Justin Turner
SS: Corey Seager
1B: Howie Kendrick
CF: Joc Pederson
LF: Trayce Thompson
C: Yasmani Grandal
RF: Yasiel Puig
DH: Carl Crawford
Angels lineup:
3B: Yunel Escobar
RF: Kole Calhoun
CF: Mike Trout
DH: Albert Pujols
1B: C.J. Cron
2B: Johnny Giavotella
LF: Rafael Ortega
C: Carlos Perez
SS: Brandan Ryan
